Back in Bulawayo, but in spring this time. A stroll around the neighbourhood reveals more vibrancy in the streetscape, with green verges and more and brighter leaves on trees. All contrasting with the dry winter period (https://parrygraph.com/2025/06/23/back-in-bulawayo/). Jacarandas and Frangipanis provide colour and fragrance, but the Flamboyant trees in full bloom are the real show offs. This tree is not native to Zimbabwe, but it’s easy to see why it’s a popular street tree: stunning flowers packed densely to create a red canopy; graceful arching branches that create ample shade; and the spent blooms littering the ground and providing further visual joy in their decay. Despite the best efforts of the beautiful early evening light, my photos do not do justice to these trees. I will keep trying to better reflect their beauty.
parrygraphs 
Beautiful have fn keep safe xx
You paint Bulawayo so beautifully, Karen 🌺🍀🥰I can almost feel that spring light and see those red canopies glowing above the streets. The way you describe the jacarandas, frangipanis and especially the flamboyants makes the whole neighbourhood come alive. Even the fallen blooms sound poetic in your words. Your photos already capture so much soul, but I love that you keep chasing an even truer reflection of their beauty❤️🍀Thank you for taking us along on your African spring walk— it feels magicalxxx😻🥰
What kind words. But really, I should be taking tips from you as you are so prolific. ❤️
Hi Karen thanks for the last 2 parrygraphs spectacular vegetati
Thanks, Chris. The flamboyant tree would easily span your garden from neighbour to neighbour. No need for another tree & without leaves in winter. 🙂 Hope all’s well at 19 Aldinga xkx
Hello Karen, How wonderful to find your blurb with photos from your trip to Zimbabwe! However, they landed in my ‘Spam’ box where I have just found them! Reminds me to check the Spam box on a regular basis. How it the trip going for you and how long will you be away this time? What is the main reason for the trip back? You have been in my thoughts and I am well aware how guilty I am not having been in contact for a bit. I did think a trip to Mannum has been well overdue! I am equally as slack in catching up with Chris. Although I am regularly in Willunga (helping out Luke and his family as Luke is on crutches for 6 weeks – knee crucial ligaments and meniscus repairs), I have not been able to catch up with Chris. In al honesty I tend to do a pot luck drop in and not having checked in with her, never find her at home! All is well here, never a dull moment. I am in the midst of a ‘Spring Clean’!!! which always causes panic with the rest of the family and you can hear them think ‘What does Lia/Mam now wants to get sorted or rid off?? The attic is still full of ‘stuff’ but I am creating (small) spaces for each family member to stack their stuff. And, I am making a real serious effort in sorting out all my work stuff and have, so far, already chucked a hell of a lot of old papers in the waste paper bin and making a decision on professional books, they likely get tossed too – although I may see if the Occupation Therapy Team at the community Centre wishes to have these books. Graeme is going for 6 days to the Wirrinna Blue Grass Festival leaving early tomorrow morning, he is looking forward to the event. I am looking forward to and will enjoy a ‘retreat’ at home! You go well in Zimbabwe Karen, enjoy all which is on offer, and if it works for you I’d love a catch up on your return! With love, Lia xx
Lia Parsons0409 089 029